The easiest way to sew tiny seeds like lettuce is to use a recycled spice or seasoning jar with a shaker top. Choose the size that works best and just shake along rows in the garden or pots for a balcony or patio.
My mum liked scones and she always was able to remember the weights and measures for pancakes, Yorkshire puddings and scones. I don’t, so, fortunately, she scribbled them down. Here is one that I used last week and was asked for the recipe as they were described as “melt in your mouth”.
Makes about 16 large scones which toast up very nicely on the 2nd day and they can be frozen but in my house, they are gone pretty soon.
I love the style of messenger bags, hands-free and great for security especially when shopping and travelling but I did not want to buy any more purses/handbags. This practical black shoulder bag had a belt buckle that was usable and as I had a black belt that was not being used I added the belt to make a longer strap. now my shoulder bag has been converted to a messenger bag that I use daily.
If your bag only has a strap but has open metal hardware that links the strap to the bag you can still convert it using a long belt or two (if you don’t have one handy, hit the thrift shops) or use some tough woven strap. Simply sewing them around the hardware with really tough cotton.
I have always found that Christmas time to be an excellent time to organize. Leading up to 25th December with seasonal decorating forces me to reevaluate what I keep, donate or throw out because it is damaged. Once presents are received I can then update so I can use my new gifts instead of just putting them away.
I also like to think of January as Planuary and use a new calendar to mark any upcoming events and appointments so I don’t miss anything important.
Simply take…
Part 1 repeated…
In a large bowl take
1lb 6oz of mixed dried fruit
3oz of mixed cut peel
Optional 1 cup of scotch or any liquor or fruit juice if prefered.
I used dried cranberries, golden sultanas glace cherries and raisins.
After soaking in liquid, the fruit will be full and lush.
Add to the fruit
Part 2
6oz butter
6oz castor sugar
grated rind of 1 orange
4 large eggs
7oz plain flour
1 teaspoon mixed spice
Mix well and place in a buttered round cake tin, traditionally for a Dundee cake it is 7 inches but I use a 9-inch cake tin as we like a lot of almonds on the top.
Place as many almonds as you like on top of the cake to decorate.
Bake in centre of the oven for 2 hours for a 9-inch cake tin and 2 1/2 hours for a 7-inch cake tin. Test with a skewer, when it is clean, the cake is cooked. Leave in tin 10 minutes before turning out.
Place on a plate or cake stand and add a ribbon around cake for a party.
You can choose to make the Dundee cake with or without alcohol and using any dried fruit and or nuts that you want. All my recipes are very forgiving and can be adapted for your preferences. It is a very easy recipe; I do it in two stages.
Stage one is taking all the dried fruit, and adding one cup of scotch, brandy or any other alcohol on hand to soak the fruit until plump, approx 24 hours. If you are a teetotaller you can use any fruit juice for good flavour. If you are in a hurry, this stage can be omitted. See, really easy! This cake is a hit with anyone who loves almonds and is good with tea, coffee, milk or something harder.
Simply take…
In a large bowl take
1 lb 6 oz of mixed dried fruit
3 oz of mixed cut peel
Optional 1 cup of scotch or any liquor or fruit juice if prefered.
I used dried cranberries, golden sultanas glace cherries and raisins.
After soaking in liquid, fruit will be full and lush.
 |
| GORGEOUS BLUES |
For my wardrobe, I really like using monochromatic colour schemes where you take one colour and use various paler and darker shades of the same colour then pair with a neutral such as black or white. Here the earrings are the same colour.
I do the same in my rooms too. For example, a monochromatic room in green may include different shades of green on upholstery fabric, walls, and curtains, the neutral may be a white ceiling and woodwork.
